Lindsay Lohan, the irresistible redheaded poppet from The Parent Trap turned tabloid cautionary tale, is turning 30 on July 2. She’s an actress who showed talent and promise from an early age, her bubbly personality and penchant for comedic whisper-acting making it easy to root for her. It’s hard to talk about Lohan without acknowledging her darker periods, though. There are her brushes with the law and struggles with addiction. Her post–Mean Girls career has been rocky and sluggish.

Still, we always hope for a Lindsay Lohan comeback—or at least to learn that she’s doing well. She represents a child star forever wavering on the precipice between course-correcting and permanent tabloid-feature-dom, and lately, it seems like things are going in the right direction. Lohan has relocated to London, where sources say she’s “focused on her healthy lifestyle,” and if she stays up late, it’s because she’s reading scripts. She’s reportedly engaged to Egor Tarabasov, who stands to inherit a Russian business empire, and the two recently made their red-carpet debut.

Life seems good for Lindsay Lohan right now, a fact she affirms in this interview conducted over e-mail with Vanity Fair. In it, the actress reflects on her life thus far, and what she hopes the next decade will hold (children, a book, and more).

Vanity Fair: How do you feel about turning 30?

Lindsay Lohan: I feel great! Age is only a number, right? I have learned a lot over time. I am in a wonderful place in life and look forward to the near and far future and projects that I am working on.

Are you having any of those turning-30, “I should run a marathon” moments?

I have run a lot of marathons over the years, so to speak. I am in the process of writing a book, and I am very excited to share my personal experiences in life and how to overcome obstacles. I hope that my words will connect with those who need some guidance when [or] if they are in a tough place. I am grateful that I have a voice, which I can now feel comfortable using as a platform to let people know that we all have ups and downs in life, and we can all come up from the downs if we get in touch with our inner self and spiritual side.

What excites you most about the next decade of your life?

Making more films, writing my book, starting my charity, working with children a lot. Maybe having some of my own soon—after I get some movies done, first.

What brings you the most joy right now?

Travel, experience, sharing my love with someone special, meditation, being happy with good people around me, [and] spending time with my family.

When you look back at your life so far, what are you most proud of?

Being strong and allowing myself to accept my faults, and with that, being the person I am today.

Do you have any regrets?

I wouldn't call things regrets, per se. I can’t turn back time. But if I could, I would have listened more to my mother and gone back home to N.Y.C. earlier in life and chosen my friends more wisely.

What would your 30-year-old self tell your younger self when she started filming The Parent Trap?

I can’t say that I would have listened then, haha. My mother taught me to always be humble, and that is something I live by still today, so I would say that. I would also probably say don’t go too fast. Pay attention to the people you surround yourself with and make sure they have honest intentions. Put yourself first, and just breathe. Be happy and always be grateful for the moment you have in front of you. Be here, now.

How are you celebrating your birthday?

In Greece with family and friends.

Is this different than how you’ve celebrated past birthdays?

I am actually celebrating it—I thought I would be hiding when I realized I was turning 30! It’s different because the way I live my life is different, which I am very grateful for.

Do you have any advice for other women turning 30?

Just, be happy and take care of yourself! Not to freak out. Embrace it.

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